After Differentiating into an O, Pampered by an A - Chapter 50

Shen Yushu had been on a business trip to South City for two days without returning. Although Ye Xing claimed she didn’t care, she found herself constantly staring at her phone. Over the past two days, aside from punctual “good morning” and “goodnight” messages, the other woman seemed to be busy around the clock.

Ye Xing was debating whether to proactively send a message when her soul was suddenly called back to reality.

“What are you thinking about? Are you still feeling unwell?” Ding Ling noticed Ye Xing’s distraction and patted her shoulder.

“No, Sister Ling. Please go on, I’m listening.” Ye Xing looked up with a shallow smile and put her phone away.

Ding Ling nodded and picked up where she left off. “Your rut should be over by now. I’ve finalized the acting classes at Jiayu University I mentioned before. I found the best teacher there to give you remedial training. Even though you aren’t from a performance background, after being in the industry for so many years, you must have picked something up. I believe you can do it.”

Ye Xing hadn’t expected Ding Ling to be so efficient. It was only mentioned in passing last time, and today it was a reality. This wasn’t some campus-themed variety show; she was actually expected to go to school and learn acting.

“Sister Ling, are you sure?” Ye Xing double-checked.

Ding Ling nodded firmly. “Mhm, of course. Ever since I saw that clip of you protecting that newcomer and smashing that director’s lounge, I feel a wave of guilt every time I watch it. It’s my fault for letting your acting talent gather dust.”

Under Ding Ling’s flattery, Ye Xing found herself agreeing almost in a daze. Suddenly, Ding Ling noticed a plastic pillbox on the side table.

“If you feel like your body still needs rest, we can wait a couple of days before starting school.”

Ye Xing followed her gaze. She hadn’t told Ding Ling about the hospital results from the other day to avoid worrying her. Plus, after taking the medicine for two days and exercising daily, she felt as light as a bird and in great condition. She figured those “hormone values” would surely drop by the next checkup.

Ye Xing checked her phone; it was 2:30 PM. “No need, Sister Ling. Let’s go today.”

Jiayu University was filled with youthful energy. To avoid being too conspicuous, Ye Xing wore a plain white T-shirt and simple jeans. Her small, bare face was framed by black-rimmed glasses, giving her the aura of a gentle, sweet upperclassman.

The school had arranged private sessions to maintain order, scheduling three classes a day covering voice, stage presence, movement, and performance. Returning to a campus environment felt like a long-overdue familiarity for Ye Xing.

At that moment, Meng Ci had just finished a class and was called to the principal’s office. When she came out, her pretty brows were slightly knit. She walked while holding her textbooks, slowly pulling out her phone.

She didn’t follow celebrities or gossip, but when the principal told her a female artist was coming to polish her acting, she felt bewildered. Even without being a fan, Meng Ci had common sense: are stars these days so brave? Coming to “polish” their acting was essentially broadcasting their shortcomings to the public.

Out of curiosity, she typed in a name. Just as she caught a glimpse of a glamorous actress in a photo, a gentle voice sounded near her ear.

“Excuse me, classmate, do you know which room the ‘voice and diction’ class is in?”

Meng Ci raised her eyelids. Her eyes were met with a woman’s fair, exquisite face—one that was seventy to eighty percent identical to the actress in the photo she just saw.

“Oh, it’s right here.” Meng Ci pointed to the small classroom nearby. Her gaze caught the nameplate on the door, and she paused, asking with some uncertainty, “Are you… Ye Xing?”

Hearing her name, Ye Xing admitted it with a generous smile. “Yes.” Seeing the other woman looked about her age, Ye Xing curled her lips and made a “shush” gesture, afraid of being overheard. “Shhh!”

Meng Ci let out a soft laugh at being called “classmate.” She stepped into the classroom ahead of Ye Xing. “Teacher Ye, welcome to our school. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am the teacher for this session; my name is Meng Ci.”

“…” Ye Xing froze, feeling a wave of embarrassment. “Ah, I’m sorry. I thought…”

Meng Ci smiled gently. “It’s fine. It’s our honor to have you here.”

Throughout the class, Meng Ci was quite impressed. Ye Xing’s online profile showed no film or TV credits, but her intuition and comprehension during the training were exceptional. Teachers always have a soft spot for smart students.

As the bell rang for the end of the session, Ding Ling, who had been waiting in the car, grabbed a parasol and headed toward the classroom. Inside, just as Meng Ci finished packing, a familiar figure and two round heads popped into the doorway.

“Teacher Meng! We heard you had a class here. The materials you summarized for us yesterday were so helpful. To show our thanks, we’d like to treat you to dinner tonight. Do you have time?”

Shen Xiaoqian stood at the door in a white dress, her hem fluttering in the breeze. Hearing this, both Meng Ci and Ye Xing looked up. The air was silent for a moment.

At that moment, Ding Ling, who had reached the first floor, heard a burst of rhythmic screaming. The birds resting on the trees took flight in alarm. She knew that sound—it was the unmistakable excitement of fans seeing their idol.

Ding Ling rushed to the door. There, Ye Xing was being flanked by two young students, with two others standing nearby trying to remain rational.

“Um, excuse me, fans, please—”

Before she could finish, Ye Xing interrupted: “Sister Ling, this is Teacher Meng. These are some enthusiastic fans of mine. It’s okay.” Ye Xing categorized Shen Xiaoqian’s friends as “acquaintances.”

Ding Ling breathed a sigh of relief. However, Shen Xiaoqian’s roommates, Deng Yao and Lu Huanmo, weren’t about to let go of their living idol.

“Ye Xing, I like you so much! I haven’t even dared to use the signed notebook you gave me. Can I take a photo with you today?” Deng Yao asked boldly.

“Ye Xing, I like you even more! I’ve liked you for so long. Last time you sold salted fish on your stream, I didn’t manage to get a single one! Waaaaah!” Lu Huanmo didn’t want to be outdone in her confession.

The two turned to Shen Xiaoqian. Where’s your declaration?

In the past, Shen Xiaoqian would have been crazier than anyone, but now she and Ye Xing were destined to be “apart”—at best, they’d be related by marriage. She forced herself to remain calm and restrained.

Meng Ci spoke up gently: “Well, since you’re having your fan meeting, I’ll head out if there’s nothing else.”

“Wait, Teacher Meng! Our Ye Xing troubled you today. Why don’t we all have dinner together tonight?” As a veteran manager, Ding Ling knew exactly when to open a door for networking. She scanned the students and smiled. “How about you students join us as well?”

Deng Yao and Lu Huanmo chirped in unison: “Yes, yes!”

Beside them, Shen Xiaoqian and Meng Ci both said simultaneously: “No need.”

Deng Yao and Lu Huanmo, seeing Shen Xiaoqian being unhelpful at such a critical moment, immediately dragged her out of the room for a “re-education” session. Eventually, under the threats and lures of her two fan-girl roommates, Shen Xiaoqian gave in.

They went to a Chinese restaurant near the school. At 8:00 PM, Shen Yushu—who was originally supposed to return tomorrow—decided to finish her work and come back today. She and Cai Yiqiu had finally settled the crisis with Chendong Group.

Unable to hold back her longing, Shen Yushu sent a WeChat to Ye Xing, but she hadn’t received a reply for hours. What is this woman busy with? She dialed the number directly.

Inside the restaurant, Ye Xing was completely caught up in the youthful energy of the students. She didn’t hear the phone ring at all. It was only after Ding Ling prompted her that she realized.

Ye Xing, slightly tipsy, pulled out her phone. The moment she answered, a scent of alcohol seemed to waft through the line. “Hello? Shen Yushu?”

The woman on the other end frowned instantly, her smile turning to ice. “You’ve been drinking?”

“Mm, just a little bit.”

Deng Yao and Lu Huanmo didn’t know who Ye Xing was talking to. They had also drunk quite a bit and shouted, “Ye Xing, come back here quickly!”

The sweet voices of the girls drifted through the receiver into Shen Yushu’s ear. Her face darkened instantly. “Where are you?”

Ye Xing mumbled a few incoherent words and tossed the phone aside.

By the time dinner finished, Ye Xing was quite drunk. After a bit of commotion, Ding Ling supported Ye Xing, while Meng Ci and Shen Xiaoqian helped each other out.

As they waved goodbye, Ding Ling suddenly felt the weight on her shoulder vanish. In a blink, the person hanging on her had been transferred to someone else. Everyone, sober and drunk alike, looked over.

Shen Yushu stood there with a sharp chill in her eyes, radiating a terrifying aura. She lowered her gaze, leaning in close to Ye Xing’s ear, her red lips moving slightly.

“I’ve only been gone for two days, and the little cat is already out playing wild, is she?”